Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin South Central, Cllr Catherine Ardagh says securing home ownership and tackling homelessness are the party’s key priorities and among the key issues in the General Election campaign.

Cllr Ardagh commented, “Families across Dublin have been failed by this Government, which has presided over the worst housing crisis in the history of the State. According to the latest figures there are over 750 families and 1,600 children sleeping in emergency homeless accommodation nationwide. This is a shocking and shameful record. There are almost 22,000 people on the social housing list in Dublin. That is a 330% increase under the Fine Gael/Labour government.

“Despite all Minister Kelly’s posturing, fewer than 246 new social homes were constructed nationally in 2015 resulting in surges in social housing waiting lists across the country

“The years 2011 to 2015 saw by far the lowest social housing construction and provision since records began in 1970.

“The Government’s failure to take even simple measures, such as increasing Rent Supplement thresholds or putting a stay on mortgage repossessions, is forcing people out of their homes in the short term.

“Fianna Fáil has put forward a clear, fully costed plan to tackle this crisis head on focusing on Public, Private and Rental areas”, explained Cllr Ardagh.

2. Private– A new Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to take the lead on dealing with the crisis
– A National Home Building Bond to finance development
– A First Time Buyers Savings Scheme

3. Homeless & Rental– Raise rent supplement in Dublin
– Ensure new social housing units from part of the “Housing First Strategy”

“In Government, Fianna Fáil will prioritise keeping families in their homes and increasing housing supply. Our policy – set out in our ‘National Housing Roadmap’ will directly fund the construction of 45,000 social homes by 2021 and stimulate the construction of 105,000 private homes by 2021”.

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)